ICC World Twenty20: Pakistan get government's nod to play in India

The Pakistan government has reportedly given its cricket team the nod to participate in next month's ICC World Twenty20 to be
held in India. Earlier, there was speculation over Pakistan's participation
due to security concerns. The Pakistan Cricket Board had requested the International Cric

The Pakistan government has reportedly given its cricket team the nod to participate in next month's ICC World Twenty20 to be
held in India. Earlier, there was speculation over Pakistan's participation
due to security concerns. The Pakistan Cricket Board had requested the International Cricket Council to let it play the tournament at neutral venues. (Pakistan have no reason for insecurity in India: Anurag Thakur )

However, the ICC had declined PCB's request.

Pakistan have been clubbed in the same group as India in
the World Twenty20, which starts from March 8 and ends on April 3. They start their campaign
in the big event on March 16 at the Eden Gardens, before locking horns against India at Dharamshala on March 19.

"I am pleased that our Government has given its consent for our team to visit India. As a duty of care, we have asked ICC to put in place special arrangements for the Pakistan cricket team while in India we will also be expecting visa facilitation and other arrangements for the Pakistani fans wishing to visit India for the ICC World Twenty20 2016," PCB chairman Shahryar Khan was quoted as saying to Geo News.

The arch-rivals will also clash against each other in the ongoing Asia Cup in Dhaka on Saturday.

India were scheduled to play Pakistan in a bilateral series late last year but the BCCI refused to play in the Middle East. Consequently, PCB turned down the BCCI's request to play a short series in India. There were reports that suggested that the two countries might agree to play in Sri Lanka but that series never took place either.

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